Fluid heat exchange apparatus



July 14, 1936. K. NAPIER 2,047,907

FLUID HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed May 4, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l I ml inning I "m 31m INVENTOR JQHTIEtiZ Nc zpz'er ATTORNEY July 14, 1936.

K. NAPIER 2,047,907

FLUID HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed May 4, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 14, 1936. K NAP|ER 2,047,907

FLUID HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed May 4, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Kenneth Mpz'er EFRR- M ATTORNEY l Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion Patented July 14, 1936 FLUID HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Kenneth Napier, Barberton, Ohio, assignor to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application .May 4, 1933, Serial No. 669,285

49 Claims.

This invention relates to furnace wall construction used in fiuid heatexchange apparatus.

One object of the invention is'the provision of blocks which may be used in a continuous series '5 to close the spaces between fluid conducting tubes ina furnace wall.

Another object is the provision of such blocks in a form which will permit them to be placed in position along a furnace wall by insertion I between the support members or water tubes from without the furnace. A further object is the provision of means for mounting block units to produce pressure between the parts forming the unit and the tubes 155 in order to hold the block units firmly in place, and yet permit the removal of blocks when it is desired to replace them without requiring disturbance of the entire wall or even adjacent units. Other object will appear upon considera- 20- tion of the present specification. 1

In the accompanying drawings:

of a furnace wall embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the wall illustrated 25 in Fig. 1 viewed from the inside of the furnace. Fig. 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fig. 2-,

Fig. 4 is a. rear view in elevation of a portion. of the wall shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 illustrates the invention applied to tubes 30' which are curved in a concave sense with respect to the furnace interior, I

Fig. 6 illustrates the invention applied to tubes which are curved in a convex sense with respect to the furnace interior,

35 Fig. 7" is a perspective view of one of the wall;

blocks, Fig. 8 is a detail view showing successive steps in the formation of the furnace wall built ac cording to the present invention, v

Fig. 9 is a detail elevation showing two wall block parts in an intermediate position, and-' I Fi'g'. 10- is a detail front elevation of a wall section. V v

The furnace wall as it is shown in the drawings consists of a row of fluid conducting tubes HI and interposed wall elements or blocks l2 which are of heat resisting material. In the present case they are of metal. The blocks are preferably carried by the tubes and are arranged thereon to form a substantially closed furnace wall;I When a suitable insulation material or refractory material covers the blocks a complete furnace wall will be formed. The interior or 7 fireside of this wall is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the "drawings; The wall may be made airtight by the addition of packing material inserted between. adjacent blocks or between adjacent tubes or byplastic insulation applied to the outside of the structure.

In order that the wall blocks may be placed in 5 their operative. positions from points exterior of the furnace walls or the rows of tubes as indicated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, they are formed as hereinafter described. The inner end 24- of each block is of such a dimension that it may be m- 10" sertedbetween two adjacent tubes in when the block. is turned to the position indicated in the left hand part of Fig. 8' of the drawings. In this position the block is substantially 90 removed fromits operative position in which it forms a part of the completed furnace wall. After the inner end of the block is passed beyond the center line of two adjacent tubes as indicated in the intermediate part of Fig. 8, the block is turned to the position indicated at the right hand partof that figure. Further turning of the block brings it to-the position in which it is indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

After two complementary blocks are brought into position as indicated in Fig. 9. of the drawings, a tension member I6 is passed through corresponding openings l8 in the heel or outer portion. 20 of each element, and a resilient member 2i. Thereafter a nut 22 tightened on the tension member l6 against the member 2i brings the two complementary blocks into wall closing positions with the blocks resiliently held against the tubes so that expansion does not decrease the quality of the heat transfer contact between the tubes and the blocks. The illustrated blocks thus permit the assembly or repair of the furnace wall from points without the furnace. A workman need not go into the furnace toplace the wall blocks in position. This is an important advantage especially in the repair of furnace walls before the furnaces are completely cooled, or when the structure. is. located in a. position as for example adjacent boiler tubes so as to make it inaccessible from the inside of the furnace.

As clearly indicated in Figures 3, 7, and 8 of the drawings each wallblock has an inner portion or face 24 joined with an outer portion 20 by a narrow intermediate'section' bounded by curved faces 26 fitting tightly against the tubes in the completed wall structure. The face 24 rests against the furnace sides of the tubes and is presented toward burning fuel in the furnace. 'Ihisintermedia-te section may be-termed a bout.

It is reinforced by an external flange or rib 28 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The faces 2d 'of some of the adjacent blocks or wallelements may contact with each other as indicated in Fig. 1.

When the wall elements are inthe ir' operative positions as indicated in Figrl of 'thjdrawingsf adjacent elements extend convergently outwardly of the Wall so as to form pocketslin whihTefractory material may be held. Such material,

whether in the form of slag deposited from'burn ing fuel, or in'the form, ofa refractory layer which; is manually placed .over. the, wall, may cover the portions lof.. theqtub,es, which are not covered by the wall elements themselves-.1 Pref.-. erably, the blocks or wall, elements are, formed with studs 32 shown as extending iIITdlIGCtiOI IS normal ,to :the outwardlyconverging faces of the blocks. These. studs, however; are not employed When'the blocksare not covered.

. As shown the blocksare; formed :on their inner sides with ribs 34 which .preferably contact with each otherwhen the blocks. are being brought into their operative relations, with the tubes. Referring again to Fig. 9-ofgthe drawings, after the two blocks. there shown are'moved .slight1y towards each other, the ribs34 will contact and formin effect a fulcrumabout which the, blocks are turned as they are;beingstightened-against the tubes-by tensionapplied by the members It and the nuts 22 thereon. The ribs 34 also operate to, form, with the tubes, and the studs 32 :addi-- tional pockets in which refractory ,material may be positioned. ;.1, The illustrative wallblocks are. of such form thatthey may readily form jalcomplete. furnace wall, even where the wall is supported by curved tubes as indicated in Figs. 5and 6.-of the drawings, They, are as adaptable for forming a part of: thejfurnace wall ,which is. convextowards the interior of the furnace ,aswell as they are upon the wall which is concave towards the in: t riorof. thefurnacel2 Besides presenting the, advantage of permitting V the wallblocksto beplaced from positionsex teriorly of the. urnace, the illustrative embodi l mer t, Of the invention presents an additional imnt dv t ta l. Qfi e Wa ..b 0ck elements may be ofthe same formation, This promotes'considerable economies in the-assembly andrepair of furnaces, reducing the varietyof parts which must" be kept on hand 'for'ffurna'ce repair. While the invention hasbe'en', described with reference to the particular embodiment shown in the drawings, it is to 'be understood that the invention is not limited thereto-but is of a scope commensurate with the scope of the sub-joined claims. I What is claimedis: j, 1: 1. In a furnacewall, spaced wall'cooling tubes, closureimembers mounted upon the -tubes for closing the spaces betweenthe: tubes, and tension members each exerting aforcein a direction para al elo the si ud naLaX h s-f ho s members in. ea e w thin tub 2. In a furnace wall, spaced wall cooling tubes, wall blocks or closure. members insertible between the tubes from the exterior of the furnace and contacting with the tubes along spiral lines when in their operative positions; and tension members exerting their forces in directions par allel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes to hold the blocks against, the tubes so as to have a heat transfer relationtherewith. I,

3. In a furnace, a row'of 'spaced'fluid coning wall blocks of identical construction having partsextending across the inner and outer sides fducting tubes delineating a furnace Wall, coact- V of the tubes and forming with the tubes a sub-v ,stantiallycontinuous and complete furnace wall, and means engaging the parts of the wall blocks extending across the sides of the tubes remote :from the. interior of the furnace to exert pressure on those parts to bring intermediate portions' of the blocks into closely fitting contact ,with the surfaces, of the tubes extending, from their furnace sides to'their remote sides. 1 4.1m fluid heat exchange apparatus, a row'of fluidconducting tubes delineating a furnace wall,

tudinal concave surfaces for engagin'gthe two adjacent support members forwardly. and -rear'- wardly of their center line, and means for mountfaces on the parts and the support membersr 6. In a furnace wall, spaced substantially par- I ing said unit toproduce pressure between the sur allel cylindrical support members, and a block unit for closing the space between'said support.

members, said block unit comprising two parts of identical construction eachhaving two sub stantiallyjongitudinal concave surfaces for engaging the two adjacent suppOrt membersfiorwardly and rearwardly ofthe commoncenter line of the; members, and means for mounting said unit to produce pressure between the sur: faces on the parts and the support members; 7. Ina furnace wall, spaced substantially parallel water tubes, and'a block unit for closing the space between said tubes, said block unit comprising two parts of identical construction each having two. substantially longitudinal concave surfaces for-engaging the two adjacent tubes forwardly and rearwardly of theircenterjline, and means for mounting said unit to gproduce pressure between the surfaces on theparts and the tube, a v 8.- A furnace wall comprising spaced vertical water tubes, block units insertable between said tubes from outside the furnace for. closing the spacesbetween the tubes, each block unit :comprising two identical parts disposed one above the other when in position between saidtubes,

animal)? center line; a rearwardly extending: flange, and nut and bolt means coacting with the flanges on each part comprising. a block unit for mounting saidunit to produce pressure between thesurfaceskonthe parts and the tubes, substantially as. described. V V I 10. In a furnace construction a rowof spaced fluid conducting tubes, furnace wall elements of sides-and another part which closely fits the tubes across the other sides remote from the interior of the furnace. 1 ,11. In a furnace, a plurality of spaced fluid conducting tubes outlining a wall, wall blocks of similar construction insertible between thetubes from the exterior of the furnace and having parts extending along the inner and outer sides of the tubes tocomplete the furnace walls and substantially close the spaces between the tubes, and tension means acting upon portions of adjacent wall elements to cause them to tightly grip the tubes so that they are held in position thereby. ,v l2. In a furnace wall, spaced wall cooling tubes, closure members mounted upon the tubes for closing the spaces between the tubes, tension members each exerting force in a direction paral-. lel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes for holding said members in contact with the tubes, and resilient members coacting with the closure members to maintain them resiliently pressed against the tubes.

13. In a furnace wall, spaced wall cooling tubes, wall blocks or closure members insertible between the tubes from the exterior of the furnace and contacting with the tubes along spiral lines when in their operative positions, tension, members exerting their forces in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes to hold the blocks against the tubes so as to have a heat transfer relation therewith, and resilient members coacting with the tension members and. the closure members to maintain the latter resiliently pressed against the tubes under all conditions of expansion and contraction.

" 14. In a furnace wall, spacedwall cooling tubes, closure members mounted upon the tubes for closing the spaces between the tubes, and tension members each exerting force in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes for holding said members in contact with the tubes,ja1l of said closure members being of identical construction and constituting the only wall forming members in contact with the tubes. "15. In a furnace wall, spaced wall cooling tubes, wall blocks or closure members insertible between the tubes from the exterior of the furnace, tension members exerting their forces in a direction parallel tothe longitudinal axes of the tubes to hold the blocks against the tubes so as to have a heat transfer relation therewith, and resilient devicesinterposed relative to the tension members and theclosure devices. 1 I

l6.In a furnace wall, spaced wall'cooling tubes, double concave closure members obliquely'mounted upon and between adjacent tubes for closing the *spacesbetween the tubes, tension members each exerting aforce along the wall for clamping said 'members on the tubes, and resilient, membars enacting with thetensionmembers to maintain the "closure members resiliently pressed against the tubes.

17. In a furnace wall, spaced wall cooling tubes, metallic wall blocks or closuremembers of .identical-construction insertible between the tubes from the exterior .of the furnaceand contacting with the tubes along spiral lines when in their operative positions, tension members exerting their forces along the tubes to hold the blocks against the :tubesso. as to. have agood heat transfer relation therewith, and resilient members "coacting with the tension members and the closure members to maintain the latter resiliently pressed against the tubes under all conditions of expansion and contraction.

18.. A double concave furnace wall block with itsrconcave sides each bounded by a surface extending alonga' helical curve and adapted to fit tightly against a tube when the block is arranged obliquely'with reference to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

19. A double concave furnace wall block. with its curved sides constituting parts of tube fitting helices adapted to fit tightly against cylindrical tubes when the 'block is arranged obliquely thereto.

20.*'A. metallic double concave furnace wall block having its opposite sides bounded by tube fitting surfaces which arepa'rts of helices when the block is arranged obliquely relative to the tube.

- 21. In combination with furnace wall tubes, a double concave metallic furnace wall block comprising, a clamping part, an inner tube engaging part adapted to be disposed transversely of fur nace wall tubes along their furnace sides, and a double concave intermediate part connecting the above indicated parts and bounded on opposite sides by surfaces which are. adapted to fit tightly against'adjacent' tubes. and constitute parts of tube enclosing surfacesin the nature of helices.

22. In a furnace wall, wall tubes, pairs of blocks shaped to fit. the tubes when oblique, to the tubes with the blocks of each pair diverging, and means acting on the blocks to change their obliquity and thereby cause the blocks to be clamped against, the tubes. the blocks completing the furnace wall closure when clamped in position.

23. In a furnace, spaced tubes, metallic wall units having inner and outer sections positioned on opposite sides of the tubes and connected by sections oblique to the tubes, and means acting on the outer sections to cause the units to be bound against the tubes; the units being insertible between adjacent tubes from a position exteriorly of the furnace. I I

24. In the furnace art, the method of building a furnace wall comprising arranging spaced tubes in wall'delineating relationship, inserting wall elements between the tubes from positions exteriorly of the-furnace, turning those elements to interlock them with the tubes, and pivoting the blocks on a transverse axis, then exerting pressure onthe elements to further pivot them and thereby bind them into good heat exchange relationship with the tubes.

:25. A furnace wall structure for closing the spaces between adjacent tubes comprising, an inner portion constructed and arranged to bridge the space between two wall tubes and to have its rearward side fit against the front parts of those tubes; an outer clamping part constructed and arranged to' receive pressure to cause the. structure to pivot and to be clamped against the tube,

a narrow'intermediat'e double concave part: connecting theabove describedparts and bounded at its opposite sides by surfaces'which closely fit against the sides of two.iadjoining.tubes'when the structure" is obliqueltheretm: and .a fulcrum portion intermediate -the ends. .of .the structure constructed andarranged to contact with another similar structure and to'causethefirst structure to'be pivoted and brought into good heat exchangerelationship with the-tubes upon the application of pressure-to said'outer part.

'26..Furnace wallielements of identical: construction constructed and arranged'to close the spaces between wall cooling tubes and consisting of end portions connected by .double concave mid-portions having their opposite sides inwardly and helically curved .to' form parts iof cylindrical surfaces having their 'axesoblique to the midportions to fit .tightly'againstwall tubes when the elements are positioned obliquely'with ref-,

erence to the longitudinal axes of the tubes, the mid-portions being narrower than said-end-portionsfl. 'm I 27. A furnace'wall block having wall forming end portions connected. by a. narrow double concave mid-portion defined at its opposite sides by concave tube fitting surfaces adapted to closely fit againsta tube'when .theblock is arranged obliquely. thereto, .one. end portion. of the block' being insertible within the furnace between .adjac ent tubes anditheother end portiofihavin'g a-fiange against which a clamping force reacts to. pivot the block and bind. it-tightly against a tube, the flange being oblique. to the mid-por tion.

28.'In a fluid. cooled furnace 'wall, a row of spaced tubes, blocks insertible'between the tubes from positions exteriorly of the furnace, and means extending .and acting longitudinally of the tubes and positioned exteriorly. of the row of tubes for pivoting the blocks to bind them againstthe tubes, the blocks being arranged in pairs with the blocks of each pair fulcruming on each other as said means is operated'and each block being replaceable without the displacement of any block' other than the complementary block of .its pairs 29. A furnace wall block formed with two separate helical and cylindrical tube engaging surfaces each with an axisoblique'to the direcnon in which the block has its maximum dimen- S1011; 30. A metallic furnace wallblock having a tube fitting portion and an inner end part forming furnace faces in front of "the tube fitting portion, said portion also forming a-"furnace face facing in the same direction as the other furnace-faces. I 31. A. furnace wall block having tubefitting portions on oppositesides of a fulcrum portion about which theblock is. pivotable on an axis transverse to' the axes of adjoining tubes. 32.'In a furnace, "spaced tubes, unitary wall blocks individually bridging'the furnace sides of adjacent tubes and being'operatively positionable from positions extejriorlyo'f the'furna ce, fulq c'rum parts on' the blocks; an d means acting on the blocks to pivot them on said fulcrum parts and about; axes transverseto thelongitudinal axes of the'tube's to cause the bl clamped against the :tubes. v V V 33. In a metallic'structuralunit, transverse end portions connected bya relativelynarrow inte'rj mediate portion, and a fulcrum forming projec.

tion,j'opposite sides of the; intermediate portion: having surfaces definedby straight line nememzs ocks to, be tightly all parallel. to an ate portion..

axisoblique to said intermedi- 34."In a metallic'ifurnace wall block,.a relatively narrow 3 intermediate portion connecting 35. In a metal furnace wallbloclg-a relatively narrow intermediate portion, end portions'extending inthe same plane beyond opposite sides of the intermediate-portion, and a fulcrum forming-portion extending from the intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said plane.

36. In a furnace; spaced wall'cooling tubes; and metallic structural units comprising, transverse end portions connected by relatively narrow "intermediate portions which-are obliquely re lated to one end portion in each unit, and fulcrum forming projections, opposite sides of the intermediate portions having surfaces defined by elements parallel to axes oblique to said'intere mediate portions; the end portions'and' projec- 1 tions being soconstructed and arranged that while said units canbernoved betweenthe' tubes to their operative positions'from positions exteriorlyofthefurnace the units cannot be'moved between successive tubes entirely top t b within the furnace, 7

37. 'A' furnace wall comprising spaced tubes,

and blocks arranged between and along successive tubes in zigzag formation to close the'spaces between the tubes and complete the wall, the blocks presenting furnace faces both'rea'rwardly and forwardly of the center lines of the tubes.

38. In a furnace wall, a rowpf spaced tubes,- 9

metallic wall blocks of similar construction arranged in pairs of oppositely'angled blocks between successive tubes, the blocks of a pair hav-' ing extensions converging toward a position exteriorlyfof the row of tubes, the blocksalso'having'inner. extensions or portions positioned over the sides of the tubes toward the interior of the furnace, and means reacting against'the blocks to pivot them and cause bothsets of extensions to 45 be clamped tightly against the tubes.

39. A furnace wall comprising spaced tubes, and blocks arranged between andalon'gsuccessive tubesinzigzag formation relativeto 'the plane ofthe' wall to closethe spaces between the tubes and complete the wall, adjacent blocks having refractory anchoring projections extending into wall pockets formed between the blocks and the tubes.

40. In combination; spaced furnace wall'tubes,' wall elementsarranged in zigzag formation relative 'to the. plane of the wall to. close the spaces between the tubes, the elements having transverseLend portions positionedon opposite sides of the tubes, and projections transversely related to the end portions and cooperating there-.

with for preventing the elements from passing V entirely through the spaces between the tubes 7 while permitting thoseelementsto be placed in operative position from points beyond the tubes exteriorly of the furnace.

V 41. In a furnace of the typeincludingspaced wall tubes connected into fluid circulation, blocks closing the spaces between the tubesand'having body portions withidouble concave tube contacting. surfaces each generatedby ,astraight line element remaining constantly parallel to the longitudinalaxis of a rightcylinder while it moves in a helical path j j r 42. A block forspannin g the space between two parallel tubswmen comprises abody portionthe V sides of which are of substantial width and shaped to lie along the tubes and in contact therewith throughout their width and at an angle between and with respect to the axis of the tubes.

43. Double concave furnace wall blocks having opposite tube fitting surfaces each generated by a straight line element constantly parallel to the longitudinal axis of a tube and moving in a path in the nature of a helix.

44. Furnace wall elements of identical construction adapted to close the spaces between wall cooling tubes and consisting of end portions connected by double concave mid-portions having opposite surfaces corresponding to exterior tube surfaces positioned between two substantially parallel planes obliquely cutting two spaced and parallel tubes.

45. In combination with furnace wall tubes, a metallic furnace wall block having a tube fitting portion presenting furnace faces forwardly and rearwardly of the center lines of vthe tubes.

46. In a metallic structural unit having transverse end portions connected by a relatively narrow intermediate portion, opposite sides of the intermediate portion having curved surfaces in the nature of parts of helices defined by straight line elements .all parallel to an axis oblique to said intermediate portion.

47. In a furnace; spaced wall cooling tubes; and

metallic structural units comprising, transverse end portions, and relatively narrow intermediate portions connecting the end portions, opposite sides of the intermediate portions having surfaces defined by elements parallel to axes oblique to said intermediate portions; the end portions and projections being so constructed and arranged that while said units can be moved between the tubes to their operative positions from positions exteriorly of the furnace the units cannot be moved between successive tubes entirely to positions within the furnace.

48. In a furnace wall, spaced tubes, and wall closure elements secured to the tubes and extending from positions on the furnace sides of the tubes to positions on the opposite sides of the tubes, said elements presenting furnace faces forwardly and rearwardly of the center lines of the tubes.

49. A method of building a wall comprising, arranging spaced supports in wall relationship, inserting wall closing elements between adjacent supports from positions exterior of the wall, turning those elements to inter-lock them with the supports, pivoting the elements, and then 2 exerting pressure on the elements to bind them into closely fitting relationship with the supports.

KENNETH NAPIER. 

